Hours later, though, the Commodores got off to a terrible start against Cincinnati (3-0). They made just one of their first 14 field goal attempts and trailed 22-6 at the mid-point of the first half.

A.J. Ogilvy was the only VU player who made a field goal in the first 13:54. He started out 3-for-3 while the rest of the team was a combined 0-for-14. He also made three free throws and accounted for nine of his team’s first 14 points

Beal finally snapped that streak when his jump shot made it 27-16.

Vanderbilt trailed 36-24 at halftime and got no closer than eight points (three times) over the final 20 minutes.

Ogilvy finished with 13 points. Jeffery Taylor and John Jenkins each added 11. Jenkins made three of VU’s five 3-pointers (on 19 attempts).

The Commodores’ only lead of the contest was at 2-0 following a pair of Beal free throws 45 seconds after the opening tip.

Yancy Gates led Cincinnati with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

VU now can finish no better than fifth in the event and will face the loser between Maryland and host Chaminade at 12:30 p.m. (CST) Tuesday in a second-round matchup.

2 Comments on this post:

By:frank brown on 11/23/09 at 7:32

The Commodores are not very physical
The Commodores are a little slow
The Commodores are not a real good shooting team
The Commodores play out of control
The Commodores will win some games they shouldn't win.
The Commodores will lose some games they shouldn't.
The Commodores should get into the NIT however this year.

By:Dore4Life on 11/24/09 at 6:04

VU will be a great men's basketball team eventually, but right now, Jenkins, Beal, and Tinsley are the only guys who have shown an ability to consistently knock down the three. Also, there aren't any Shan Fosters or Derrick Byars on this team, as Ogilvy is currently the only Commodore who can really "take over" a game from a scoring standpoint. Taylor is tremendous athlete, but his game (along with Goulbourne's and Andre Walker) currently resembles something more suited for Calipari's offense with all the penetration and wild shots being thrown up. IF those three guys would show an ability to consistently hit three pointers it would give VU a very dynamic offense. Taylor right now is no threat to pull up and make a jump shot in someone's face.

However, as it is currently, VU is the same relative team on offense they were a year ago and can't afford to take plays off when you don't have Shan Foster, Derrick Byars, etc. to bring you back quickly. It requires doing the little things EVERY game out: Minimizing turnovers, crashing the boards, and playing great defense. VU didn't do two of these things against Cincinnati yesterday and that equals a loss, especially when you shoot horribly. I still project the Dores pulling an NCAA bid this season as they just have too much talent, but in order to realize that this season, they can't take plays off.